Skills for Success with Windows 7 Comprehensive

Kris Townsend is an Information Systems instructor at Spokane Falls Community College in Spokane, Washington. Kris earned a bachelor's degree in both Education and Business, and a master's degre in Education. He has also worked as a public school teacher and as a systems analyst. Kris enjoys working with wood, snowboarding, and camping. He commutes to work by bike and enjoys long rides in the Palouse country south of Spokane.

Table of Contents

 

Windows 7

 

Chapter 1 Get Started with Windows 7 2

Skill 1 Understand What Windows 7 Does 4

Skill 2 Log On and Log Off 6

Skill 3 Open and Close Windows 8

Skill 4 Manage Multiple Windows 10

Skill 5 Create and Save Documents 12

Skill 6 Switch Between Windows 14

Skill 7 Create Snips 16

Skill 8 Use the Ribbon 18

Skill 9 Use Help 20

Skill 10 Print Documents 22

 

More Skills

More Skills 11 Sleep, Restart, and Shut Down Computers 24

More Skills 12 Switch and Log Off Other Users 24

More Skills 13 Change Your Default Printer 24

More Skills 14 Create Compressed (Zipped) Folders 24

 

Chapter 2 Manage Files 34

Skill 1 Work with the Computer Folder 36

Skill 2 Filter, Sort, and Group File Lists 38

Skill 3 Create Folders and Copy Files 40

Skill 4 Move and Name Files 42

Skill 5 Add Folders to Libraries 44

Skill 6 Create New Libraries 46

Skill 7 Delete and Restore Files 48

Skill 8 Search from the Start Menu 50

Skill 9 Search Folder Windows 52

Skill 10 Send Files to Other Drives 54

 

More Skills

More Skills 11 Show File Extensions 56

More Skills 12 Customize Folders 56

More Skills 13 Burn Files to CDs 56

More Skills 14 Add Index Locations 56

 

Chapter 3 Browse with Internet Explorer 66

Skill 1 Browse the Web and Add Favorites 68

Skill 2 Navigate and Search Websites 70

Skill 3 Use Accelerators and Search Providers 72

Skill 4 Manage Browser Tabs 74

Skill 5 Organize Favorites 76

Skill 6 Print and Save Web Pages 78

Skill 7 View and Delete Browsing History80

Skill 8 Protect Online Privacy 82

Skill 9 Change Internet Security Settings 84

Skill 10 Manage Pop-ups and Check Website Safety 86

 

More Skills

More Skills 11 Change Your Home Page 88

More Skills 12 Manage Search Providers 88

More Skills 13 Manage Accelerators 88

More Skills 14 Add Web Slices and Feeds 88

 

Chapter 4 Personalize the Desktop and Start Menu 98

Skill 1 Pin Programs to the Start Menu and Jump Lists 100

Skill 2 Customize the Start Menu 102

Skill 3 Personalize the Desktop 104

Skill 4 Manage Desktop Icons and Shortcuts 106

Skill 5 Add Gadgets 108

Skill 6 Customize the Taskbar 110

Skill 7 Use and Modify Taskbar Jump Lists 112

Skill 8 Add Toolbars to the Taskbar 114

Skill 9 Customize the Notification Area 116

Skill 10 Reset System Settings 118

 

More Skills

More Skills 11 Find Aero Themes Online 120

More Skills 12 Create a Desktop Background Slide Show 120

More Skills 13 Find Gadgets Online 120

More Skills 14 Use Windows Keyboard Shortcuts 120

 

Chapter 5 Work with Digital Media 130

Skill 1 Add Digital Media to Libraries 132

Skill 2 View Pictures with Photo Viewer 134

Skill 3 Organize Pictures 136

Skill 4 Organize Music in Windows Media Player 138

Skill 5 Create Playlists 140

Skill 6 Play Videos in Windows Media Player 142

Skill 7 Play Streaming Media 144

Skill 8 View Pictures in Windows Media Center 146

Skill 9 View Videos in Windows Media Center 148

Skill 10 Play Music in Windows Media Center 150

 

More Skills

More Skills 11 Import Photos from Digital Cameras 152

More Skills 12 Rip Music CDs 152

More Skills 13 Sync with a Portable Music Player 152

More Skills 14 Watch TV in Windows Media Center 152

 

Chapter 6 Work with Windows Live 162

Skill 1 Create Windows Live and E-mail Accounts 164

Skill 2 Use Windows Live Hotmail 166

Skill 3 Install Programs 168

Skill 4 Sign In to Windows Live Messenger 170

Skill 5 Chat Using Windows Live Messenger 172

Skill 6 Share Files with Messenger 174

Skill 7 Send E-mail with Windows Live Mail 176

Skill 8 Retouch Photos in Windows Live Photo Gallery 178

Skill 9 Tag People in Photos 180

Skill 10 Uninstall Programs 182

 

More Skills

More Skills 11 Install Windows Live Bing Bar 184

More Skills 12 Create Movies with Windows Live Movie Maker 184

More Skills 13 Conduct Online Phone Calls 184

More Skills 14 Request Remote Assistance 184

 

Chapter 7 Change System Settings 194

Skill 1 Turn Windows Features On or Off 196

Skill 2 Change Date and Time Settings 198

Skill 3 Set International Formats 200

Skill 4 Modify Sound Schemes 202

Skill 5 Change Power Plans 204

Skill 6 Work with File Extensions 206

Skill 7 View Disk Information 208

Skill 8 View System Information 210

Skill 9 Customize Visual Effects 212

Skill 10 Increase Memory with ReadyBoost 214

 

More Skills

More Skills 11 Manage Fonts 216

More Skills 12 Change Default Programs 216

More Skills 13 Use Ease of Access Center 216

More Skills 14 Use Windows Fax and Scan 216

 

Chapter 8 Change System Settings 226

Skill 1 Configure Keyboards 228

Skill 2 Configure Mice 230

Skill 3 Configure Monitors 232

Skill 4 Configure Audio Devices 234

Skill 5 Start Speech Recognition 236

Skill 6 Install Printers 238

Skill 7 Set Up Wired Networks 240

Skill 8 Connect to Wireless Networks 242

Skill 9 Set Up Wireless Routers 244

Skill 10 Connect to the Internet 246

 

More Skills

More Skills 11 Single-click to Open Items 248

More Skills 12 Add Alternate Keyboard Layouts 248

More Skills 13 Work with Multiple Monitors 248

More Skills 14 Share Printers and Internet Connections 248

 

Chapter 9 Change System Settings 258

Skill 1 Use Action Center to Check for Problems 260

Skill 2 Install Security Software 262

Skill 3 Work with Microsoft Security Essentials 264

Skill 4 Configure User Account Control 266

Skill 5 Manage Windows Update 268

Skill 6 Configure Windows Firewall 270

Skill 7 Create a Standard User Account 272

Skill 8 Set Up Parental Controls 274

Skill 9 Test Parental Controls 276

Skill 10 Create a Backup Plan 278

 

More Skills

More Skills 11 Encrypt Files and Folders 280

More Skills 12 Manage Startup Programs 280

More Skills 13 View Applications and Processes in Task Manager 280

More Skills 14 Share Files 280

 

Chapter 10 Troubleshoot and Maintain Windows 7 290

Skill 1 Work with Nonresponsive Programs 292

Skill 2 Monitor Performance 294

Skill 3 Monitor Resources 296

Skill 4 Monitor Reliability 298

Skill 5 Use the Troubleshooting Window 300

Skill 6 Adjust Program Compatibility 302

Skill 7 Clean Up Disks 304

Skill 8 Defragment Disks 306

Skill 9 Check for Drive Errors 308

Skill 10 Schedule Tasks 310

 

More Skills

More Skills 11 Use Problem Steps Recorder 312

More Skills 12 Change and Repair Programs 312

More Skills 13 Troubleshoot Network Problems 312

More Skills 14 Restore Computers 312

 

Glossary 322

Index 329